Section Eight Housing Demand Soars

Waitlist closed due to unprecedented demand

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More and more families in Garland are turning to Section Eight Housing.

The Garland Housing Agency reports that demand for housing is the highest it has ever been. The agency receives about 1500 vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, yet the current waitlist for housing has about 16,000 people waiting.

The agency said the waitlist closed within a week of opening.

"We're seeing people from all racial groups, all economic levels, all over the nation we are seeing people needing assistance,” said Denish Wilson-Owens, Housing Administrator for the agency. “They have lost their jobs, they've lost their houses, they need somewhere to live."

Demand for Garland Section 8 Housing Soars

Hazel Knight is currently number 9683 on the waitlist since she lost her job two years ago. Knight has since found a job, but is still picking up the pieces.

"It's still difficult, you know, because I have been behind for so long, so it very difficult trying to play catch- up,” said Knight.

The agency’s budget for Section Eight housing is about $10 million, but with more families needing help, the city said they have to come up with new ways to help families and stick within their budget.

One example is matching residents with smaller apartments.

"We've changed our occupancy standards where we are able to assist more families,” said Wilson-Owens. ” Instead of a one bedroom based on age and sex, it's two per bedroom so we are able to assist more families because we’re putting them in smaller units prior to us changing our occupancy standards.”

Crystal Wilder is fighting to keep her house from foreclosure and hopes she doesn’t lose the battle because she may not be able to get on the waitlist.

"If it is foreclosed on, we will definitely be signing up for Section Eight housing,” said Wilder. "Only problem with that is the waiting list is so long, it could be a year or two before we could even get assistance or longer.”

Still, Hazel Knight, number 9683, is still keeping hope that she will get the help she needs.

Meanwhile, the agency is also working with other agencies to get clients better jobs, so the Garland Housing Agency can help needier families from the waitlist.